Adjusting to life with dentures means adjusting your diet, too. While modern prosthetics are designed to let you eat comfortably, some foods can still be difficult, causing issues ranging from discomfort to damage. Continue reading to find seven foods worth avoiding.
1. Sticky Candy
Caramels, taffy, and gummy candies can pull at your prosthetics or even dislodge them. The stickiness can also work its way underneath the denture, causing irritation.
2. Popcorn
Popcorn hulls are like magic, finding their way into your gumline and under your dentures. They’re not just annoying—they can actually cause discomfort that’s difficult to resolve without removing your restoration and cleaning it.
3. Nuts
Hard and small, nuts are tough to bite down on evenly with dentures and can shift the appliance out of place or cause soreness with repeated chewing.
4. Whole Apples and Raw Carrots
Biting directly into hard, raw produce is almost as bad as crunching ice or crusty bread. Slicing these foods into smaller, bite-sized pieces first makes them much easier to chew, but softening by steaming, boiling, or baking them is another great way to manage.
5. Tough Cuts of Meat
Steak and other chewy meats require more sustained pressure than dentures are built to withstand comfortably. Instead, grab tender cuts or slow-cook your meat until it falls apart on your fork.
6. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is one of the most unassuming foods on the list. Trying to gnaw it off puts uneven pressure on your prosthetics, causing them to slip or dislodge. Cutting the kernels off first is a simple way to still enjoy it without issue.
7. Seeds
Small seeds from foods like strawberries or sesame-topped bread can get trapped beneath dentures, causing irritation. The worst part is that they can be hard to simply rinse away, instead requiring a thorough brush.
None of this means giving up your favorite foods entirely. With strategies like cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing slowly on both sides of your mouth, you’ll adjust quickly. If a food consistently causes you discomfort, talk to your dentist. They can take a look and see if a slight adjustment could unlock a better menu.
About the Practice
At Salvaggio Dentistry, our team offers full and partial dentures, along with implant-supported solutions for patients who want a more secure, permanent fit. If your prosthetics aren’t feeling as comfortable as they should, we’re here to help. Call us at (289) 569-0721 to schedule a denture consultation with our talented team.